Charlie Rose Opens Up the Deficit Debate

Tonight's broadcast of the Charlie Rose Show will feature a discussion of the budget deficit with progressive economist Dean Baker of the Center for Economic and Policy Research and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.).

As FAIR's recent action alert noted (11/16/10), the Rose show's discussion of the White House deficit commission has been dominated by right-leaning guests who were supportive of the plan put forward by commission co-chairs Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson. FAIR pointed out that experts including Baker have argued that the co-chairs' report is fundamentally flawed. And Schakowsky, who is a member of the deficit commission, has put forth her own progressive plan for deficit reduction.

FAIR thanks those who wrote to the Charlie Rose Show and encouraged them to expand their guest list. And the Charlie Rose show should be commended for taking these criticisms seriously.

The fact that the program is broadening its discussion is a testament to the power of media activism.